Reroot presents…
Semana de Danza!
6 nights/ 7 days of dance in captivating Cuba!
JUNE 30 - JULY 6, 2025
Brace yourselves for an immersive adventure as you delve into the heart of Cuban dance with expert-led classes in the vibrant streets of Havana. But that's just the beginning – get ready to explore the enchanting city of Matanzas, where history and tradition merge seamlessly, offering a glimpse into Cuba's rich heritage.
Tour highlights:
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Learn
From professional Cuban dancers as well as Grammy award winning dance group: LOS MUÑEQUITOS DE MATANZAS
Mambo, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha and, of course, SALSA!
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DINE
At Havana’s hottest restaurants with the prettiest cocktails and the most authentic Cuban cuisine you cannot find anywhere else.
Ropa vieja, platanos, fresh lobster and more with all 100% locally produced ingredients directly from the land.
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EXPLORE
Two locations: Havana and Matanzas!
We include all the action of Havana and also delve into the Afrocuban history of Cuba that gave birth to Rumba.
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STAY
At a 200 year old colonial-styled mansion reclaimed by Cuban families.
Stick with double occupancy pricing to get a roommate or book a private room!
Nights come alive with dancing under the stars of Havana
Everyday consists of theory and practice during the day and a practicum at night. So get your naps in cause we’re GOING OUT!
Day 1
Bienvenido a la Habana!
You’ll be whisked from the airport and shimmy straight into your first dance class. We are not wasting any time here!
We begin at the Salsa House with an hour’s introduction to the dance with an explanation with theory and history of Cuba, followed by an hour of dance to determine your level.
The history of salsa starts with DANZON, a ballroom dance that originated in Cuba as the first dance where men and women danced close together. From there, SON CUBANO was developed. Son is a musical rhythm that began in the countryside of Cuba and has traditional and specific movements of dance. Then around 1940’s, Rock n Roll came onto the musical scene and started to mix with Son Cubano. From there the dance CASINO SALSA was developed in Cuba. Learn all about the difference between CASINO SALSA and other salsa styles from other parts of the world but, just remember that SON is the base of all melodies around the world making salsa originally Cuban.
For the second hour, we will throw you right into practice where you will learn CASINO and see the difference between Casino and “Salsa en Linea” or Line Salsa. Your teachers will divide you into three different groups: BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE, or ADVANCED based on your performance.
Then, it’s on to our WELCOME DINNER in Havana’s hottest restaurant!
Day 2
La Rueda de Casino
Everyday we learn new movements like REPARTO (Cuban reggaeton), CHA CHA CHA, MAMBO steps, and RUMBA and how to introduce these styles of dance into CASINO SALSA. In your second class, you will learn SON which is the base of salsa. Then, in our second hour, we introduce “La Rueda de Casino”– Casino Wheel. LA RUEDA DE CASINO is a fun way to socialize between partners. It’s a dance that is done in a circle where partners switch every so often with lots of improvisation thrown into it.
After we have lunch in a boutique restaurant, we will head to our educational activity: meet JUANITO “EL ABUELO” DE CASINO: the person with the entire history behind the founders of SON. We’ll learn the history of CASINO through the one man on the island with all the historical history with photos.
Then take a nap, because we’re GOING OUT to put our skills to the test.
Day 3
Bachata
Today your first hour we learn BACHATA. Bachata uses instruments originally from the Dominican Republic which is where the dance was developed. However, the melodies are rooted in son cubano and the African rhythms brought by enslaved peoples to Cuba.
Our second hour we practice CASINO & CASINO WHEEL.
After lunch, we head to CUBAN MUSIC CLASS, where you learn the base of the instruments you’re listening to. This will give you a deeper understanding of the rhythms that make up the magic of salsa and the differences between the different melodies from around the world. This class is interactive.
What other Reroot travelers are saying:
DID YOU KNOW?
Rumba serves as a powerful form of cultural preservation, fostering community and connection while honoring the rich Afro-Cuban traditions through expressive movements and vibrant rhythms.
Day 4
Rumba in Matanzas
Today we’re going to MATANZAS! Matanzas is the original slave port during a time when Spain colonized the island and brought in enslaved peoples from Africa and later China. Here is where RUMBA, a Cuban style of dance, was invented by freed enslaved AfroCuban communities.
Our first stop is the SLAVE CASTLE where you will learn from the director of the castle the entire history of this region and how enslaved peoples arrived to Cuba though these very doors.
Next, we head to learn the three different styles of rumba, the music, and the basic and traditional steps from the Grammy-winning group that took RUMBA to an international level: LOS MUÑEQUITOS DE MATANZAS
Day 5
Danzón
We begin by stepping into a time machine where we are transported to the day DANZON was developed in one of the original structures where danzon was invented. You see how this original dance inspired Casino and how people dress when they dance danzon.
Then we’ll head back to Havana for a free afternoon of shopping and roaming the streets of old Havana. We’ll take you to our favorite stores!
Hope you didn’t miss salsa too much because it’s FRIDAY NIGHT and we are going to put your salsa to the test! We head out for our NIGHT TIME PRACTICUUM.
Day 6
Salsa on the Beach!
Today is an exciting day! You’ll head to the beach for SALSA ON THE BEACH! Grab your bathing suits and get ready to salsa on the sand & jump into the water!
Spend the rest of the day on the beach with your feet in the sand, lobster on your plates, drinking out of a fresh coconut with your salsa professors.
Day 7
Farewell!
This isn’t goodbye, but See You Next Time!
When you hit the dancefloor next time, we hope you think of us!
Snag Your Spot!
Price Starting At
$3,950
…based on double occupancy (shared rooms).
Private rooms are available at an additional cost.
A $350 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot.
What’s included:
All Reroot classes
All accommodations
Three meals a day
Airport Transfers
Ground Transportation**
An English-Speaking Guide
**For nights out, you’ll be responsible for your taxis home. Our guides will instruct you how to catch one.
What’s not included:
Airfare
Entrance/VISA fees
Souvenirs
Alcohol
